A Colorado House panel on Thursday
approved a bill which seeks to recognize gay and lesbian couples with
civil unions.

The 11-member House Judiciary Committee
approved the measure with a 8-3 vote after listening to nearly 6
hours of testimony. The measure now heads to the House Finance
Committee.

Testifying before the committee, Lisa
Green said, “My love is not a right for you to judge.”

Other supporters who spoke after Green
appeared to agree with her sentiment. One said she was tried of
being treated like a “second-class citizen.”

One opponent, who appeared with his
father, said allowing gay unions would lead to marriage with animals.
Others said they objected to the bill on religious grounds.

The move follows passage of the bill
two weeks earlier in the Colorado Senate. Democratic Governor John
Hickenlooper has urged lawmakers to approve the measure.

It is the third year in a row lawmakers
have considered Democratic Senator Pat Steadman's civil unions bill.
Last year's bill died in the GOP-controlled House. Its prospects,
however, improved dramatically when Democrats regained control of
both chambers.

If the bill is approved as expected,
Colorado would join 5 other states – Delaware, Illinois, New
Jersey, Rhode Island and Hawaii – which offer the union. Delaware,
Illinois and Rhode Island, along with Minnesota, are considering
legislative proposals which would legalize gay marriage.